Fish Ponds Thrive,Even During Winter!

With the hot weather in Toledo, Ohio, it's the perfect time for fish lovers to build their backyard ponds. As the best season for fish Enthusiasts, they can enjoy a relaxed evening watching the colorful fish swimming in the pond.

However, what happens to the fish during the cold weather? Will they die? What kind of fish should one choose while building a pond to ensure a good environment throughout the year? Should anything else be taken care of while building the pond to prepare it for the chilly weather too?

Mother Nature has instilled a sense of adaptation in each creature. Similarly, even fish have their own way of adapting to cold and hot climates. But, unlike fish in the sea and ocean, owners need to extend a little help to help fish survive during the winter season.

Here are some important steps to follow:

* Depth of the pond: The pond must essentially have a depth of 24 inches in at least one spot of the pool. Even if the ice freezes up to 8 inches, fish can continue breathing and living under the ice.

* Cleanliness:Winter is also a season for trees to shed their leaves. If the pond is located near tress, chances are high that the leaves create debris in the pool. The ideal solution is to build ponds away from trees.

Notwithstanding the pool's location, there may be dry leaves and other debris in the pond. One must ensure cleanliness of the pond. Floating stems, leaves and twigs must be immediately removed. If debris remains under frozen ice, it decomposes and decays. This, in turn, heightens the ammonia levels in the water, which prove fatal for the lives within the pond.

* Type of fish:Certain kinds of fish are unable to survive in cold temperatures. To keep them alive, fish owners need to shift them indoors, where it is warmer.Although Koi and gold fish survive in cold conditions, other fish may not.

* Treatment of "greens" underwater: Before ice freezes at the lake, the aquatic plants must be trimmed and re-positioned lower into the pond. Also, too many plants can make the pond crowded and uncomfortable for the fish. Keeping the density low will ensure healthy underwater life.

* Small opening: A common misconception is that fish die because of a drop in temperatures. However, the reasons are different. Fish breathe through the oxygen dissolved in water and exhale ammonia and carbonmonoxide. In the case of frozen ponds, these fatal chemicals do not get an outlet. An increase of these chemicals proves fatal for fish. Therefore, a small opening in the frozen pond provides an outlet for the harmful chemicals and an inlet for more oxygen.

Fish lovers who have backyard ponds often dislike the winter. However, by following the preceding points, they can help their fish survive during the winter.
Fish lovers who do not have ample space to build a pond can keep fish in an aquarium. Many stores across Toledo, Ohio, supply fish and other aquarium supplies for fish enthusiasts.

Knowledgeable staff members can offer advice about choosing the best fish and filling their aquarium with the right food and supplies. From water plants to colorful fish, fountains and filters, pet supplies have every item you need!